Katter proposes demerit points for Uber drivers

Amy Remeikis

Queensland's country party has declared war on ride-sharing service Uber, vowing to punish its drivers to protect "small business".

Rob Katter and Shane Knuth will introduce a bill in the upcoming parliamentary sitting week which would see Uber drivers, who can already be fined under existing legislation, penalised through demerit points.

If European courts decide Uber is a transport company rather than an app, the company will be exposed to stricter licensing rules, additional operating costs and the risk of a reduced availability of drivers. Photo: Getty Images

The Katter Party MPs have proposed three demerit points for a first offence and six demerit points for any following offence.

A driver caught three times with an Uber passenger would lose their licence.

Mr Katter said he believed it was the only way to "uphold Queensland's law and transport regulation system for those who have done the right thing".

"Our taxi drivers are small business owners and hard workers who have followed each and every one of the regulations that have been set out by the state government," Mr Katter said in a statement.

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"These measures are put in place to ensure safety and access for all. The other services don't offer that, yet take the cream from the top.

"The industry is staring down the barrel of a multinational monopoly. I will not see another industry slaughtered by deregulation."

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The bill will create another headache for the government as it attempts to negotiate the state's taxi strategy, which is due to expire at the end of this year.

Both the Taxi Council and Uber have stepped up their campaigns in recent months, with both lobbying the government and the public, one to keep the status quo and have Uber adhere to the same regulations as the heritage industry, the other to allow for competition in the market without paying the same fees as the existing industry.

A spokesman for Uber said the Katter MPs were yet to hear their side of the argument.

"We're surprised and disappointed that Mr Katter has refused to meet with us to discuss his concerns, many of which seem to be based on misinformation peddled by a taxi industry seeking to protect its monopoly," he said.

"... Prior to introducing his Bill, we hope Mr Katter will give us the opportunity to help him understand why over 200,000 Queenslanders are choosing Uber as a safe, reliable and affordable alternative to existing transportation options, in addition to 4,000 locals who are enjoying well paid and flexible work on the Uber platform."

Taxi Council CEO Benjamin Wash said the council "strongly endorsed" the bill and called on Labor and the LNP to do the same.

He also called on the media to "play a more responsible role".

"The media are continually giving Uber credibility even though they are operating illegally," he said in a statement.

"This is unheard of and outrageous and would never happen with any other person or company that breaks the law."

"Uber are an illegal taxi service, and are spawning copycats across Queensland.

"Right now anyone, anywhere, can start to drive their private cars and transport the public and the government is letting it happen.

"This will become a nightmare.

"We've already seen assaults with no camera evidence by Uber drivers across Australia, and without enforcement of regulations nothing will be able to stop any sexual predator or person with the wrong motives starting their own illegal taxi service."

Uber, which was fined $1.7 million in 12 months in Queensland, has begun including the Premier's email address with each booking, to encourage its customers to lobby on behalf of the service.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad is expected to announce the new taxi strategy within months.